Nichelle Newsletter

Can't Get There From Here

Get Here
Forget Magnolia Bakery! The search for the perfect cupcake ends here at Make My Cake (103 Central Park North at 110th St). They bake very yummy cupcakes with creamy icings, including my new favorite, a red velvet cupcake. Since it’s located at the north end of Central Park, you can easily run or walk off the calories from eating a cupcake. Believe me, it’s worth the caloric expenditure!

Here and Now
Artist Carol Markel has an amazing collection of her colorful and whimsical collages and hats on display at Galerie Chacur on 72 Orchard St in the Lower East Side. Her collages of party dresses are inspired by fun and fashion with her use of vintage clothing labels, with fabric, felt and lace. She puts the fun in art and fashion. The exhibit is showing now through May 5. (If anyone interested in buying me a very early birthday gift, a piece of art from Carol Markel’s Paint-Box Girls collection would suit me fine!)

Here Comes The Sun
Imagine this! I am in movie theatre in Manhattan and the audience is cheering and laughing. It’s a foreign film with subtitles, no less. What is it? It’s “Shaolin Soccer”, a Hong Kong action comedy about Kung-Fu and Soccer. Check out this feel good movie! It’s playing now at Landmark Sunshine Cinema at 143 East Houston St.

Hot in Herre
The weather may be confused as to what season it is, but according to MY calendar, it’s time to enjoy ice cream! So I visited the famous, il Laboratorio del Gelato (95 Orchard St). They have a wide range of flavors for their sinful ice creams and heavenly sorbets. I sampled the maple walnut and crème fraiche flavors. It was divine! Note: The store closes early, so stop by on an afternoon on the weekends.

Here She Comes Now
I am so excited about this new event, Chicks and Giggles! It’s an all-girl comedy night that I am producing at the Laugh Lounge (151 Essex St). I have found the funniest girls in the city, and they will perform Tuesday, May 11 at 8:00PM. Some of the comediennes you will see include Ellen Lloyd, Carolyn Castiglia, Abby Rosin, Jenny Rubin and Tasha Space. You are invited to laugh!

Magnet And Steel

It's a Saturday night, and my friends and I are in a crowded bar in Brooklyn. A band (The Dansettes) is playing soul music, and we are having a fun time! When it’s my turn to buy a round, I order three drinks and my total is ONLY $13. Where am I?! No, I was not at a bar in ever-so-hipster Williamsburg, but I was in Brooklyn Heights at Magnetic Field (97 Atlantic Ave). Magnetic Field is a cool place without even trying. Plus they serve Schaefer beer which I have not seen in ages!

The Whole Town's Laughing At Me

You are invited to laugh, snort and giggle on May 11!
I am producing a fabulous all-female comedy night called Chicks & Giggles at the Laugh Lounge, a new bar and comedy space on Essex Street. The show is Tuesday, May 11 at 8:00PM. The comely Ellen Lloyd will MC. Come out and laugh! Cover $8 with two-drink minimum.

RSVP to the show HERE.

Orange Crush

Red, Red Wine
Come join me Thursday April 22 as I will be selling raffle tickets and working the room for the Community Service Society’s Annual Fundraiser Party at Eugene. There’s a two-hour open bar and appetizers. I just picked up a copy of the list of the raffle prizes which includes a trip for two to the Caribbean, restaurant and spa certificates, Social Circles membership and Watson Adventures passes. If you don’t win, console yourself in knowing that you gave to a good cause, and you got tipsy doing it. Did I mention the two-hour open bar from 6:30-8:30PM??? Tickets are $40 in advance ($50 door) and can be purchased at this site.

Blue Moon
Robert Whaley, flirty lead singer and fabulous coronet player of the Niagaras, dances frenetically on stage as if he were possessed by the devil! The Niagaras are the ultimate party band. You will dance until the cows come home! They're playing at the Cutting Room (19 West 24th Street between 6th and Broadway)on Saturday April 24th at midnight.

It Ain’t Easy Being Green
Last Saturday, my friend and I happened upon Café 111 in Brooklyn Heights for dinner at my urging because I wanted to check out the live music there. To my surprise, we enjoyed a delightful set by the excellent and eccentric Ethan Lipton. First, he did a few short songs a cappella, and I didn’t know if he was joking. Then the rest of the trio came up and they were great! To describe the music, it can be best described as eclectic. Ethan is playing at the Liberty Heights Tap Room (34 Van Dyke St./Brooklyn) on Saturday at 10PM. It is definitely worth the trip to Red Hook with my good friend and vocal acrobat Zero Boy is also performing.

Purple Rain
When in Brooklyn, drink like the Romans! Go to Quench Bar on 282 Smith Street at Sackett St in Carroll Gardens. Potent and inspired potables like Raspberry mojitos will definitely quench your thirst. I stopped last weekend with a friend and loved the bar instantly. You can easily fall off the bar stool while singing along to 80s hits on the great jukebox from bands like The Fixx and ABC. It’s the look of love, baby! (By the way the Fixx will be playing out on Long Island this summer.)

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Help Me Find A Boyfriend! I have decided to take my search off-line. I know some of you were enjoying this section each week, but I think it is best to conduct my search undercover or under the covers as the case may be. Hey, I will continue to write something FUNNY,even it’s about love, work or Bush. Even I can get “Kerryed” away by all the craziness of living in New York City!

Good Day Sunshine

Inspired by a friend, I decided to create another blog called "The Baked Apple" devoted exclusively to summer events in New York City. This is the portal for all things from May to September. One of my favorite events is the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. I have been in the parade for the past two years. I am getting a big fun group together this year. If you are interested in joining me and my friends in the parade or have any suggestions for summer events, just email me. Enjoy!

Dicked

With it being "National TV Turnoff Week", I was hesitant to post this entry because I did not want to enable all you TV junkies! But I gotta rant about last night's episode of "The Sopranos". I was twisting in my seat wondering if Tony Soprano was going to "bada bing" his dead pop's old mistress (played by the wonderful Polly Bergen). To distract myself, I started counting how many times was Tim Daly's asshole character was going to mention Dick Wolf. Was anyone else besides me disturbed how many times Dick Wolf's name was dropped? Is David Chase kissing Dick Wolf's ass or does one of the Sopranos writers want a piece of that L&O action? "In the criminal justice system, there are court reporters and hacks ...these are their stories". For a summary of the episode, check out Television Without Pity. Reading about TV is not cheating!!! So turnoff the TV, set your TiVo and get outside to enjoy the nice weather.

Amazing Grace

Whatever you are thinking doing Saturday afternoon, drop those plans and visit the beautiful new facade of the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Free admission! The weekend celebration is called Open, and there will be music, dancing and a scavenger hunt. All events are Free!

I Am Superman

Son of A Preacher Man
To celebrate Halloween 02’, I saw Reverend Vince Anderson. To ring in the New Year 03’, I saw Reverend Vince Anderson. So it only makes sense that on Tax Day, April 15, that I can enjoy the spiritual stylings of Reverend Vince and the Love Choir. Reverend Vince plays bluesy gospel soul. Believe me; it’s a joyful noise! You can see them live at Howard Johnson’s,Times Square. 1551 Broadway at 46th St. Show starts at 9PM. (two sets) FREE!

Man, I Feel Like A Woman
Attention Ladies! With Victoria’s Secret ditching their televised fashion show and all the hoopla over Ms. Jackson, I’m starting to think that the female form is not being sufficiently appreciated. So, I want to remind/inform all you pretty things some of the best places to buy lingerie. In SoHo, there’s Agent Provocateur at 133 Mercer St. and Le Corset by Selima on 80 Thompson St. Plus, if you are ever near NYU checking out the handsome young boys, stop by La Petite Coquette 51 University Place. (P.S. Guys! Shopping with your lady for lingerie can be a rewarding adventure.)

Magic Man
Instead of the textbook “performance art for dummies”, Neal Medlyn succeeds in screwing with your mind while seducing your funny bone! Catch Neal Medlyn's Manfinger at Collective Unconscious, (145 Ludlow Street) this Friday April 16, at 8PM and again on May 7, 2004. The price is only $7.

It's Raining Men
Help Me Find A Boyfriend! I will reserve a section each week to let you know how it’s going. After reading last week’s newsletter, Hurry Date Co-Founder, Adele Testani offered me a free pass to attend a Hurry Date event last Wednesday at Fuelray (68 West 3rd Street). It was fun! If you have never been to a speed-dating event, it is like musical chairs for inebriated adults. So I was happy to meet 25 eligible bachelors in a single night. As far as a match goes, I kinda fancy a guy from the event who actually lives in my neighborhood. Go figure! If you think of anyone eligible, please email me at nichellenewsletter@yahoo.com.

Maneater
Are you ready to laugh? My very funny and talented friend Abby Rosin is performing comedy next Wednesday April 21 at 8:30PM the Laugh Lounge 151 Essex Street. The Laugh Lounge is a fabulous place to grab a beer AND a laugh. You can get there by taking the F train to Delancey.

We Are The World

Come join me next Thursday, April 22 to support the Community Service Society of New York in their annual fundraiser at Eugene (27 West 24th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues)! I am cordially inviting you all to come drink, meet people, and donate to a great cause. Plus, there are many fun prizes in this year's raffle. There's a two hour OPEN BAR from 6:30-8:30PM. Buy tickets today ($40 in advance) at the CSSNY site. See you there!

Take My Breath Away

The Brooklyn Museum will be FREE this Saturday, April 17 in celebration of its new facade. If you have never been, I strongly suggest that you check it out. The Brooklyn Museum has an awesome and impressive collection of art, and it is conveniently on the 2/3 at Eastern Parkway. I love the Brooklyn Museum, and I want more people to enjoy it! Today's New York Times has a good article about the museum's desire to increase attendance.

Plus, one of my favorite bands, The Lascivious Biddies will be performing a set from 2-3PM. Come on down!

Up In This

You can call me the "hype girl" for my buddy Don McCloskey! I would be his manager, but 20% of nothing is still...NOTHING. So please do me a solid and vote for him as he has been nominated for two Philly Music Awards (Best Male Entertainer and Best Acoustic Act) Yay! You can vote online once a day Phillyatnight.

Friday April 16, Don McCloskey will be playing at the Parkside Lounge at 8PM. Cover is $5. You can find the Parkside Lounge at 317 E. Houston Street between B&C. Take the F train to 2nd Avenue.

Automatic For The People

Village People
Happy Easter! Happy Passover! Happy Spring! I am so ready to pack up my winter clothes. In fact, I may purge some stuff by donating to the Salvation Army. However, I do not recommend Beacon’s Closet in Brooklyn. It’s not for the faint of heart. They viciously judge your fashion sense and only give you pennies for the old Gap shirt that you wore back in the 90s!

Groovy People
Three years ago, I attended a workshop of this musical written by a friend, Melissa Levis. Two years ago, I saw it again at the Fringe Festival, and finally, “The Joys of Sex” is now in previews at the Variety Arts Theatre, 110 Third Ave at 13th Street. It’s hilarious and sexy! If you are motivated by psychological pricing, then remember this: tix are two for $69!

Beautiful People
Ok, I listen to Rufus Wainwright’s latest CD, Want One, when I am working. I find his music to be both soothing and disturbing at the same time. I especially like the opening track, “Oh What A World” where Rufus sings “Men reading fashion magazines. Straight men...." I wonder if he was thinking about that new men’s shopping magazine, Cargo.

People Are People
I saw Boy Skout a few weeks ago in Brooklyn, and these girls kick ASS!
Their sound is like a female Joy Division, and they are playing at Saturday, April 10 at Pianos (158 Ludlow St). Show starts at 10PM and the tickets are $7! Some other band named Au Revoir Simone opens the show.

Different People
Help Me Find A Boyfriend! I will reserve a few sentences each week to let you know how it’s going. If you’re not interested, then just ignore this section. Thanks for the good wishes from all the couples! Your
compassion is appreciated, and your advice has been taken with a grain of salt. :-) So far, I have received two referrals. If you think of anyone eligible, please send candidates to email me at
nichellenewsletter@yahoo.com

There's A Tear In My Beer

Last night, I got some sad news. The Liquor Store (235 West Broadway) is closing. This venerable bar is a Tribeca local for artists and Wall Streeters. It's one of the few bars in the city that I can always see a familar face. In fact, the Liquor Store was once actually a liquor store back in the day. According to New York Metro, "it's the only preserved landmark townhouse in the city zoned for the sale and distribution of alcohol."

If you are ever in the Tribeca area, stop by the Liquor Store for a pint of Guinness or Stella Artois. Cheers!

Smile

I know that spring is experiencing delays. Maybe it's due to traffic up ahead or a sick passenger. (Smile!) But seriously, whatever is going on with the local weatherman and the man (or is it a woman?) upstairs has got to stop. I am starting to get depressed, so to cheer myself up I go to Laugh Lounge and drink and see comedy. It's the best of both worlds...you can cry in your beer upstairs in the bar and you can snort it out as you laugh at the comedians performing downstairs. It's a manic-depressive's wet dream!
Laugh Lounge is located at 151 Essex between Stanton and Rivington. Take the F-train to Delancey St.

Shake A Tail Feather

Friday night, my friends and I had a blast celebrating a friend's birthday at Totem. We surprised the birthday boy by hiring an amazing bellydancer named Andrea Beeman from Empire Dance!

East Is East

Last night I had dinner at Mitali East on Indian Row (334 East 6th Street). The food was delicious, the company was great, but the tables are way too close. It's definitely not a good place for an intimate conversation.

Then I stopped by a new Irish bar at 304 Bowery called Slainte. Slainte is pronounced "slawncha va," which in Gaelic means "good health to you" or "cheers". Anyway you pronounce it, the bar's a great addition to the Bowery!

Clueless

Just got word that Brooklyn scavenger hunt has been cancelled. Sorry!

Foolish Heart

Fools Rush In
Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the New York Subway System and discover the wonders of historic Brooklyn Heights by attending the scavenger hunt hosted by Watson Adventures. The hunt will take you to hidden treasures of Brooklyn Heights, the city’s first suburb. You'll also visit the Transit Museum, with antique subway cars you can board in a former station. Hunt meeting place: The front steps of Borough Hall, at Court Street and Montague Street. It's SO easy to get there: You can take the 2, 3 or 4 trains to the Borough Hall Stop or the R to Court St., or the A, C or F to Jay St./Borough Hall and walk one block. Hunt price: $20, not including museum admission. Purchase tix online at http://www.watsonadventures.com . Saturday, April 3, 2 PM.

FoolishAn open-mic is your opportunity to show off your talent, piss off strangers or to get off on someone else’s stupidity. Think of it as “American Idol” meets “The Real World” without the C-list judges and the tortured artist/gay/homophobic/angry minority/slut stereotype. Oh wait, they’ll be there be too! FaceBoyz’s Open Mike is happening this Sunday, April 4 at Collective Unconscious 145 Ludlow Street between Stanton and Rivington Streets. Signup is at 7:45 PM. Show is at 8:00 PM. It’s only $3!

Special Kind of Fool
It’s a special night of faith, hope and charity as I invite you all come to the Community Service Society of New York’s Annual Cocktail Reception and Raffle on April 22. I have been to tapped to be on the Party Committee this year, and I so excited about the cool prizes for the event. Raffle prizes include tickets to the Caribbean, restaurant certificates, HurryDate passes and whitening treatment from Bright Smile. Let me also mention the two hour open bar from 6:30-8:30 PM! Tickets are $40 in advance ($50 door) and can be purchased at http://www.cssny.org/party.html

Ship of Fools
Pizza! It’s more a New York dish than “mom’s apple pie”. (Whose mom makes apple pie, anyway?) Well, my friends told me about this pizza place in the East Village that’s not famous called Pizza Gruppo at 186 Avenue B between 11th and 12th Sts. The thin cracker crust and fresh toppings won me over! I highly recommend this little joint, but you may have wait a bit before you sit. http://www.east-village.com/food/pizza/

LoveFool
Thanks for welcoming back to New York City after a brief stay in Atlanta!
I am truly grateful for my new job and new apartment up in Harlem. So I want to call upon my friends and newsletter readers to assist in my search for a boyfriend. Help Me Find A Boyfriend! I am not picky. I want someone with a sunny disposition, great sense of humor, brilliant conversationalist, passionate, nice smile and loves NYC. I want a man who has a job or his own business, educated and experienced with women. I would prefer someone is between the ages of 28 and 45, and I am open to all nationalities and ethnicities. No dusty, rusty or crusty bachelors please. Send eligible candidates to email me at nichellenewsletter@yahoo.com